The CUT Games contingent following a donation from Ocean Conversion and Harneys on Friday, July 13.

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

The CUT Games contingent following a donation from Ocean Conversion and Harneys on Friday, July 13.

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

Athletes and coaches selected to participate at the 14th Biennial CUT Students' Athletic Championship from July 20 to 21 slated for Jamaica received timely donations from Ocean Conversion and Harneys BVI which will offset some of the BVI Teachers Union (BVITU) expenses.

The Championship is for athletes between the age of 8 and 15 and the team, which includes 38 athletes, starts travelling on Monday and will continue to depart the Territory at intervals with the last segment of the team leaving on Wednesday.

President of Ocean Conversion, Mr. Glenn Harrigan and Harneys PR and Communications Manager, Philomena Robertson interacted with the coaches and athletes at the A. O Shirley Recreation Grounds last Friday, July 13.

Harrigan told BVI Platinum News that his company has donated $5,000 to the BVITU.

"We as Ocean Conversion have always been supporters of the youth and this is a momentous occasion they are going of off the CUT Games in Jamaica. As we did in the past we are happy to help," Harrigan stated.

Robertson said that it feels good as it always does when Harneys is able to do something that would help make a difference in the community.

"At Harneys with our corporate social responsibility program youth and sports are part of the core elements of that program. We are delighted to ounce again be able to contribute to the BVI Teachers Union in facilitating a team of athletes to represent the Territory at the CUT Games 2012," Robertson stated.

Hodge said that he is grateful for the donation from both companies, but the BVITU is still in need of more finances.

"We have the whole food and accommodation is going to cost us approximately $7,500 in Jamaica. That we have already. The uniforms for the students 4,900 and the airfare and travel is going to cost us approximately $35, 000; we have $25,000 of that which has been specifically donated by the Ministry. We are short now of $10,000. I am very optimistic that the clarion call has been made and we are hoping that our people will rise to the occasion and assist us in getting there and returning safely," Hodge stated.

He said that another challenge is getting direct flights from St. Marten to Jamaica for some members of the team, but he remains optimistic that this will be resolved.

Hodge said that the major goal of CUT is to help to maintain peace within the region through the championships.

"What we expect to see in Jamaica is that Jamaicans, Trinidadians, Anguillans, British Virgin Islanders, Antiguans, persons from the eastern, north and south for the Caribbean coming together in a spirit of unity cheering our youth on to perform at their best and at their peak. We continue to cherish the relationship with have with companies who have always risen to the occasion to support the activities that we have for the youths," Hodge stated.

He stated that Ocean Conversion was previously the main sponsors in 2008 which was staged in the BVI and provided support for the team which attended the 2010 Games in St. Kitts.

The CUT Track and Field Championships was a result of the CUT's recognition of the need to provide the young athletes aged 8-15 years with some regional competition. There was also recognition by the CUT that sports have a significant role to play in the regional integration process. These particular Championships would bring together the students and teachers of the Caribbean for a few days of friendly competition, camaraderie and co-operation.

The Caribbean Union of Teachers Biennial Track and Field Championships was first organized in Barbados in 1986. The participating countries at the inaugural Meet were Anguilla , Bahamas , Bermuda , Cayman Islands , Grenada , Guyana , St. Lucia , St. Vincent and the Grenadines and host, Barbados.

They competed for the Jean Perisco Trophy.

Barbados made capital of the fact that they were at home and won the Championships. The success of the inaugural Meet led to a CUT decision to develop the Championships into a biennial affair. It was also agreed that the Championships would be organized by the Teachers' Union of the host nation. This extends to the host seeking sponsorship to help meet local expenses.